A Diamond in the Rough

Chapter 2

Alexis

 “Alexis?” my dad’s voice interrupted my scrolling through Instagram.

Despite my physical freedom, I did have access to the internet. A few years ago I made an Instagram and Twitter account, posting my cell phone photography and saying whatever was on my mind. I had about ten thousand followers on both, so I guess people cared about what I said. But to obey my dad’s wishes, I used a different name, and completely different information. To everyone else in the world, I was Valerie Green.

 “Dad.” I said, my voice coming out more miserable than I meant.

“I’m leaving, I should be back by ten.” He said grabbing his briefcase off the island I was sitting at.

“By ten you mean tomorrow morning right?” I swiveled around on my stool.

He turned around and gave me an almost guilty look. I know he hated leaving me here by myself, but his job required his full attention. Besides, if he really was that concerned, I wouldn’t have been cooped up in this stupid mansion for the past eighteen years.

“You know how things are at work honey, I’ll be home as soon as I can. And I promise that tomorrow we’ll watch the basketball game.” He said kissing my forehead.

I didn’t have the slightest idea about how to play, but basketball was my absolute favorite sport. As a family, we’d watch it every Saturday morning. It was the same routine, yet I never got tired of it. I’d run down stairs and sit in between my parents on the couch, I would be the ref, and my mom would go for one team, and my dad for the other.

It was like we recreated the game in our living room. Saturday mornings had to be the highlight of my week. But ever since mom died a few years back, its been the highlight of my life. I’m lucky if dad’s even able to be home with me anymore.

I zoned back in to reality after having the flashbacks of our old Saturday mornings, and saw like a mirror on my dad’s face, the broken expression I had on my face. I tried to hide from dad how miserable I really was, he was the only person I had in this world and I don’t want him to feel bad or annoyed because of me. But after so many years of hiding, I think my heart just gave up.

“I love you.” He said giving me a small smile.

“I love you too.” I watched him walk out the door, and as soon as it shut, I heard something shuffling across the floor.

“Morning Rafiki.” I smiled hopping off my stool and bending down to pet him.

Rafiki is the closest thing I have to a friend, he’s like my baby brother. And no he’s not a dog, he’s a cheetah. If anyone knew that my dad and I had a cheetah living with us, he’d be fired just like that. So he was our little secret. He’s not full grown yet, only a year old. But then again, animals tend to grow a lot faster than humans.

 I stood up straight and started to walk out of the kitchen, and up the stairs to my room with Rafiki right next to me. I shut my bedroom door behind me, not really knowing why since I was home alone, I guess it was just a habit. I sat down at my desk, opened up my laptop, and saw my master plan open in front of me.

I had done hours upon hours of research, figuring out exactly what to wear, where to go, and how to get there all while being unnoticed. Knowing that my dad works latest on Friday nights, (like tonight) I knew that it would be my best shot. I was finally going to get out of this house for real. Chicago has been at the edge of my fingertips for the past eighteen years, and tonight, it would be sitting right in the palm of my hand.

Zach

Connor let me have the book for the night, noticing my curiosity towards it. I was almost scared to touch it again after I touched it the first time. I put it in my backpack as securely as I could and held it tightly to my chest as I walked up to my apartment. For some reason, as much as I tried to reject the offer from Connor, it felt like I had to take the book. It was just so… tempting.